MEL Composites has completed the hull infusion for São Gabriel 01, an 8-meter, hydrogen-powered hydrofoiling vessel built with Técnico Solar Boat for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2026. The team describes it as the most technically complex hull it has produced, requiring a customized vacuum infusion strategy to balance weight, structural stiffness and hydrodynamic efficiency for a vessel operating under high dynamic loads while hydrofoiling.
MEL's CEO said engineering a structure to support a hydrofoiling hydrogen propulsion system required close collaboration with the student team to get every layer, fiber and resin flow right. MEL supplied a bundled materials package including Sicomin's InfuGreen 810 bio-based, DNV-GL approved epoxy resin, Aircell PVC foam core for its compression resistance and low density, and a full range of vacuum infusion consumables to keep the process consistent and traceable.
Técnico Solar Boat's team leader credited MEL's engineering with producing a hull that is both lightweight and able to withstand hydrofoiling loads, calling it an important step as the team heads toward international competition.
Source: MEL Composites
